Council from January 15. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Parks and Rec increase

Rate increases coming to recreation facilities

Mar 4, 2025 | 2:40 PM

User rates for recreational venues will see an increase for the first time in two years including a 4.5 per cent increase at the Battleford Arena and the Alex Dillabough Center.

The report by Battleford’s Parks and Recreational department particularly focused on the Arena, the Dillabough Center, Battleford Flats and Eiling Kramer Campground.

“Administration along with the Parks and Recreation Committee conduct a bi-annual review to ensure rates reflect current operating costs and remain competitive with comparable municipalities,” the report said.

Manager Jordan Schechtel explained in the report that best practice for municipal facilities is to try and achieve at least 50 per cent cost recovery from revenue and the other 50 through taxation.

“Over the last two years, you can see what the recovery rate was for these [facilities] were. The arena was 50 per cent, Alex Dillabough, 47, Flats 45, campground 87 so, that’s for 2023 onwards,” he said.

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The manager explained the operating costs that are primarily guided by staff and utilities and usually account for roughly 55 to 80 per cent.

“When reviewing the rates the Parks and Recreation Committee considered several factors, including projected staffing and utility cost increases over the next two years, consumer price index fluctuations since 2023, and a benchmark comparison with rates in North Battleford,” Schechtel said.

“We’re in a unique situation where we have a city of 15,000 people right beside us and there’s no other municipalities our size that have a neighboring municipality like that,” he said when asked by council whether there were other municipalities that were comparable to the Town in regards to recovery costs.

The recommendation for the increase was also in part due to the Flats committee pointed out that some of the rates were below market value and thus “required adjustment based on specific dollar amounts.”

As such, although campground rates will stay the same, booking rates will be bumped up to $4 due to software costs. Because of the additional revenue, roughly $10,000 to 12,000 will come from the four facilities.

“Committee and administration believe the proposed changes strike a balance between maintaining facility sustainability and minimizing the impact on users,” he said.

According to the report, the administration expects the impact on minor sports will be minimal: Minor Hockey will pay an extra $5 per person, Skate Battlefords, an extra $8 and Minor Ball, an extra $3.

All changes are expected to take effect on April. 1.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com